Hercules' Club

Zanthoxylumclava-herculis

Family
Rutaceae (roo-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Zanthoxylum (zan-THOK-sil-um)
Species
clava-herculis (KLAV-uh HER-kew-lis)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Height
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Spacing
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Trees
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Midland City, Alabama

Morrilton, Arkansas

Bartow, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Merritt Island, Florida

Oakland, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Oviedo, Florida

Palm Harbor, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Loganville, Georgia

Roswell, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Folsom, Louisiana

Merryville, Louisiana

Sibley, Louisiana

Seabrook, South Carolina

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

De Leon, Texas

Moody, Texas

Needville, Texas

New Caney, Texas

Plano, Texas(3 reports)

Quinlan, Texas

Rockwall, Texas(2 reports)

Rowlett, Texas

Shepherd, Texas

Temple, Texas

Chesapeake, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
G
Rockwall, TX | May 2018 | positive

Thrives in heavy black clay with only rainwater. I have four “bird planted” trees. They tend to sucker, but with pruning they grow...Read More

C
Folsom, LA | March 2017 | positive

after numerous attempts- finally germinated seeds- soaked with rotting leaves for 60 days- then planted
have a small male and larg...Read More

F
Chesapeake, VA | November 2015 | positive

This is one of my favorite trees, growing up in central florida i had several of them in my yard and would always transplant seedlings to...Read More

G
Plano, TX (Zone 8a) | May 2014 | positive

Found one growing wild in the shady part of one of our flower beds this spring. I'm moving it to a better location so that it can grow pr...Read More

P
Port Vincent, LA | August 2013 | positive

We had two of these trees originally. However, one eventually died from a neighbor's renovations (destroyed root system). It also died ...Read More

K
Plano, TX (Zone 8a) | October 2011 | positive

This tree grows wild in shady creek areas here in TX from Dallas to Beaumont. It is well known in the country as the 'tickle tongue' tree...Read More

B
Seabrook, SC (Zone 8b) | April 2011 | positive

Rather funky plant. I like it. I agree with the other poster that the GST caterpillars prefer this to the other citrus larval food plant...Read More

T
Sibley, LA | July 2009 | positive

I live in North Louisiana and I have what seems like thousands of Hercules Clubs growing in and around my yard... I can't get rid of them...Read More

G
G
Hawthorne, FL (Zone 8b) | July 2009 | neutral

The national co-champion is near me, in Gainesville, in an area known as Sugarfoot Hammock. The other co-champion is in Texas. Yet anot...Read More

S
Moody, TX | March 2009 | positive

It grows wild near Waco on blackland prairie. We have left one in backyard near fence as it is somewhat picturesque. Have noticed birds...Read More

A
A
Palm Harbor, FL (Zone 9b) | January 2008 | positive

Host plant in Florida for GST butterfly. Although it has lethal thorns the larva prefer it over other host plants that I've offered. Slow grower...

T
Fort Lauderdale, FL | October 2006 | neutral

Said to be host plant (wild lime) for Giant Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

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